The Lincoln County leader. [volume] (White Oaks, Lincoln County, N.M.) 1882-189?, 1887-07-02
LETTER FROM NEBRASKA.
Lincoln, Nebraska,
june 3lrh, 81

Since last saw you, have trav-
eled many miles, and am now So
| iourning for Il time in this enter
prising capitol city. | find here,
traces OF your past life when this
city was young, and meet many
who cherish your memory and
speak of many happy days spont
in your society when you conduct
ed the evening paper of the city.
In your time here, am told,
there were but few people in COM
parison to what there are now, and
no gorgeous commercial blocks
and magnificent residences that
now ornament the streets. Some
of the business houses here are
said TO have cost from fifty to sew
enty five thousand dollars. Some
of the private residences from
twenty to forty thousand, and one
now in process of erection is esti
mated to cost when finished, be-
tween fifty and sixty thousand.
They claim here something over
forty thousaed of population.
Contrast this condition of affairs
with what it was when You MN
gled with the prominent men then
active in business in this village.
Now [ would like to give you
my impressions of this city, formed
from the evidences that are spread
before me, and as | CLEAN them
from leading business men. The
city is but twenty years old
She gained a wide reputation in
few past years for great liberality
towards, and encouragement to all
enterprising men Of energy. She
became noted tor the liberal SEN
timent Of her people upon all sub
iects, and at the same time bore
an excellent reputation for good
morals and refined education. The
hearty welcome extended to all Wis
itors, and the unseltishness mani
tested 10y most OF her citizens, had
a powerful influence in attracting
settlers. The system of education
aAd class OF schools established
were attractive, and the prosperity
of the people was uninterrupted.
Having reached that stage OF exis-
tence that entitled them to take a
position Of a city of tue first class,
to many Of the citizens, with spec
ulators, considered their fortunes
made, and that continued prosperi-
ty was a settled fact, began to buy
up the choice tracts surrounding
the corporation and have additions
to the city sufficient to accommo-
date a million OF people. Now the
question is to induce the people to
come. If they come they find the
lots in the hands Of spectators and
opportunities for purchasing homes
at a moderate price and greatly
interfered with. The supply is
tar in advance of the demand.
Another very important feature
in society here that is already work
ing a damaging influence, is the
radical change in the treatment of
inhabitants by the would be man
ayers OF the city. The same lib
erality Of opinion that at one time
characterized the citizens attracted
]
settlers and business men, under
the influence OF the w. G. T. T.,
the prohibitionists, law and order
league, and sectaranism, that free
dom OF shought, let alone action,
is to a great extent prohibited.
The Mayor, president OF the law
and order league, Presbyterian
half and half prohibitionist, with
! al a Democrat, was elected last
spring under the hue and cry Of
reform ! Among the first etficial
acts Of his majesty was to issue a
urocla,nation closing drug stores.